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The Montrose Township Board held a first reading of the ordinance at Tuesday's regular meeting with much discussion.

Flag lots are basically lots with narrow road frontage that open up farther back in the property. On a map, they have a flag-shaped appearance, which gives them their name.

In presenting the ordinance to the board, township building official Dennis Miller said the township planning commission felt the ordinance was important for existing lots and to encourage flag lots. Under the ordinance, flag lots would be developed as a special land use, which would require them to be reviewed and approved by the planning commission.

The ordinance opens up flag lot development township-wide, but also provides proper buffers and set-backs to protect existing property owners as well.

Under the ordinance:

* A flag lot must contain a 33 feet right-of-way to serve as ingress and egress to a public road.

* A flag lot may not be created where it would reduce an existing side or rear yard set-back of an adjoining lot to less than 50 feet.

* Driveways located within an access right-of-way shall maintain a minimum set-back of five feet from property lines.

* The placement of all structures on a flag lot shall not be a detriment or nuisance to adjoining properties. The planning commission may require buffering along adjoining property lines to provide adequate separation between buildings.

Miller said the planning commission had been discussing the issue for the past three meetings, and held a public hearing at its last meeting.

"This ordinance is way more liberal than a lot of other townships," trustee Gary Keeler said.

Township attorney Otis Stout agreed, saying "This ordinance changes the direction of the township from not allowing flag lots to allowing flag lots. It's very pro-development."

In other action on a lengthy agenda, the township board approved a drainage project for the Willard Road area in the northern portion of the township, between Nichols and Duffield Roads.

Supervisor Mark Emmendorfer reminded the board that in previous discussions it was learned the old Fry Drain (which services the area) did not have a drainage district, the project was estimated at $360,000, with the township's portion of that being $60,000.

However, in recent discussions with the Genesee County Road Commission, an alternative solution was proposed. The road commission would dig a ditch on the north side of Willard Road, and if that didn't alleviate the water problem, a drainage pipe and crossover would be run connecting it to a drain.

Emmendorfer said the road commission would be doing the work, with the only cost to the township being the drainage pipe if needed, for $10,692.69.

"This is the cheapest solution to the public I've found short of doing a special assessment district," Emmendorfer said.

The board approved the project and to spend the money, if needed.

In another cooperative venture with the Genesee County Road Commission, the board approved ditching projects for Morrish and Marshall Roads. Ditching will be done on both sides of Morrish from M-57 to Lake Road, and on the east side of Marshall Road north of Farrand Road.

The board had budgeted $50,000 for ditching, with an additional $20,000 approved to complete both projects. Emmendorfer said the road commission has agreed to help out as much as possible.

In other action, the board:

* Approved the sale of the old senior center bus to the Montrose school district for $1.00. The school plans to use it for a maintenance vehicle, Emmendorfer said.

* Authorized Emmendorfer to enter into negotiations with the school district for the purchase of the community center/senior center building. The school board had previously authorized Superintendent Mark Kleinhans to look into selling the building. Emmendorfer reminded the board that if the township were to own the building, Community Development Block Grant money could be used on the building.